Some Musicians Playing at Festival in 2018
Pianist and vocalist Bill Stevenson
Kirk MacDonald
Virginia MacDonald on clarinet and Lucien Gray on guitar.
Tanner MacDonald lives in New Glasgow and is associated with the jazz music program at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. Cape Breton Jazz Festival is pleased to have Tanner taking part in the Jazz Festival.
Mike Melchin of the Whiskysmoke Blues Band. Mike contributes vocals, long with guitar and keyboard work.
Guitarist Jake Hanlon with the Whiskysmoke Blues Band
New York Stories: A Vocal Performance by Micael Barnes accompanied by jazz pianist Holly Arsenault on Thursday, August 9 at the Joan Harris Cruise Pavilion. Show time at 7:30 pm
Jazz pianist Holly Arsenault who will be accompaning jazz crooner Michah Barnes on Thursday, August 9 at the Joan Harris Cruise Pavilion
Bill Stevenson and his trio will play on Thursday, August 2 in Sydney to open up the Cape Breton Jazz Festival.
Musicians Who Have Played at Festival in Past Years
Canadian tenor jazz saxophone icon Kirk MacDonald will be returning to the Cape Breton Jazz Festival in 2017 with an appearance with the Ethan Ardelli Quintet. Kirk is a Juno Award winner and has tourned the world, mostly recently several months on a European Tour. The Festival to have Kirk back. His last appearance at the Festival was in 2015 when he shared the stage with jazz piano legend Harold Mabern. For more information on Kirk go to www.kirkmacdonald.com.
Cuban singer Augusto Enriquez and Halfax saxman Jeff Goodspeed will lead a group of outstanding Cuban jazz players for a couple of Cape Breton Jazz Festival events on August 4 and 5 in Sydney. Show details will be announced later in June.
Vocalist Kevin Colford of Sydney, Nova Scotia will front a roup of Cape Breton musicians who together will present a show of arrangements of classic jazz standards. Joining Kevin on stage on Monday, August 7, 2017, will be Red Mike MacDonald on bass guitar, Ken Howatson on trombone, Steve MacInnis trumpet, Bruce MacKinlay on alto sax, Russell LeBlanc on tenor sax, Ronnie Leadbeater on drums, Peter MacDonald on piano. The classic vocal standards will include songs by Michael Bulbe, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Dianna Krall. The tunes will range from fast and slow, including swing, dixieland, and polkas. The show will take place at the Hearthstone Inn. Tickets cost $20 in advance at $25 at the door.
Steve Amirault on piano and vocals will appear at the 2017 Cape Breton Jazz Festival for two performances on Wednesday, August 9 for a solo piano and vocal gig, sharing the program with guitarist Mike Rud, and on Thursday when he joins Ethan Ardelli's quintet for an evening of hard hitting jazz. Steve was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and has traveled extensively and lived in many places in pursuing his passion for jazz piano. Steve has lived in New York and Montreal, and now makes his home base in Toronto. Further information on Steve can be found online at www.steveamirault.com.
Mike Rud will perform at the Cape Breton Jazz Festival 2017 on Wednesday, August 9, sharing the evening with pianist Steve Amirault. Mike Rud is a Juno award-winning jazz guitarist, composer and songwriter, living in Montreal. As an instrumentalist, Mike has played alongside some of the greatest musicians of the era like Peter Bernstein, Kenny Wheeler, Herb Ellis, Joey DeFrancesco, and Randy Brecker. As a composer, Mike won the 2014 Juno Award for his album Notes on Montreal, a critically acclaimed tour-de-force, featuring his lyrics, and compositions. It was inspired by the great literature set in Montreal (Michel Tremblay, Gabrielle Roy etc.) and sung by Sienna Dahlen. Mike’s 2015 solo release, Miniatures delighted audiences across Canada, creating the effect of a small group with only his voice and his guitar. Mike has a master’s degree from McGill, and studied privately in New York City with one of the fathers of jazz guitar, Jim Hall. Mike has taught at McGill, Western Washington and Carleton universities, and speaks frequently at other music schools. He is the proud father of two daughters, Kelly and Abby. Further information on www.mikerfud.com
Joe Murphy will be performing on Friday, August 11 2017, during the Cookin' Blues Night at the Cape Breton Jazz Festival. Joe is an icon on the Nova Scotia blues scene having used his base area of Halifax to take his blues vocals, guitar playing, harmonica playing, and accordion playing to all regions of the eastcoast. Joe will be joined on stage by a group of the region's top young blues players
Dan Doiron, a Port Hood, Cape Breton native who has carved a niche on the eastcoast blues scene, has forf many years displayed his passion for the blues through his outstanding blues guitar and vocal stylings. Dan will be performing at the Cape Breton Jazz Festival on Friday, August 11 2017, sharing the bill with Joe Murphy on an evening of Cookin'Blues. For further information see: www.dandoiron.com
Drummer Ethan Ardelli will be appearing at the 2017 Cape Breton Jazz Festival. Ethan has become one of the top jazz drummers on the Toronto jazz scene, since moving from Cape Breton to Toronto several years ago. Ethan has played with most of Toronto's top jazz players, and is on their list of drummers to call when they need to have a soulful jazz drumming feel to power their rhythm section. For this gig, Ethan has put together a group which consists of Ted Quinlan on guitar, Cape Bretoner and world traveler Eric Burke on bass, Steve Amirault on piano, and Ethan himself on drums. They will be joined on stage by Kirk MacDonald, a Juno Award winner, and one of Canada's top jazz tenor saxophone players. They will be playing on Thursday, August 10 at the Hearthstone Inn in Sydney.
Considered Cape Breton’s premiere jazz guitar player, Joe Waye Jr. as a youth played rock and country styles of guitar before giving a heightened focus to exploring and celebrating the music created by jazz guitar legends such as Wes Momtgomery. One of the highlights of the local Christmas season for jazz fans, it an annual jazz shows which Joe produces to showcase local jazz talent. In demand as a guitar teacher, Joe is knowledable and able to play in many different styles. Yet furthering his jazz playing remains a priority.
Michele Stephens will be one of the headliners on the Cape Breton Jazz Festival Closing Night Party Show which takes place at the Hearthstone Inn on Saturday, August 12 2017, starting at 7:30 pm. Michele is a regular on the jazz piano playing circuit in Cape Breton. She can be seen playing solo piano at local restaurants or on stage with her playing partners Red Mike MacDonald on bass on Johnny Hawkins on drums. Her style brings to mind the piano playing and sultry vocals of jazz performer Diana Krall, as Michele sings songs from the classic jazz era of the Great American Songbook.
Stay Turned for further Festival musicians information and pictures.
The Following are Press Releases from 2016 and Previous Festivals
Date: August 9 2016
To: Mediat
From: Cape Breton Jazz Festival
Re: Festival concludes with three shows
Local players and blues Pianist Bill Stevenson highlight The Cape Breton Jazz Festival as it concludes with three shows this week.
Described by Ann Murray’s guitarist George Herbert as “the best swing/blues singer and player east of Toronto!” Bill Stevenson and his blues jazz trio will be returning to the Cape Breton Jazz Festival for performances on Friday at the Hearthstone Inn Commoner Courtyard in Sydney, and Saturday at the French Club in New Waterford.
On Thursday local jazz musicians, as well as New Orleans based saxophone player Ian McPhail will heat up the Hearthstone Inn outdoor venue as several acts take the stage. A talented group of local players will be participating in the show. These include Darren Gallop, Dennis Grant, Greg Verner, Morgan Currie, Joe Menchefski, John Aylward, Red Mike MacDonald, Johnny Hawkins, Joe Waye Jr., Carl Getto, James Munroe, Bruce MacKinley, and Matthew Nicholson. This event will be held at the Hearthstone Inn Commoner Courtyard on Kings Rd. in Sydney.
All shows begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets cost $25 and will be sold at the door.
For further information contact: Carl Getto at 902-565-1092 or at carl.getto@hotmail.com.
For Immediate Release
July 24 2016
From Cape Breton to New Orleans to Cape Breton
Highlighting the Thursday Jazz Variety Pack evening show, on August 11, at the Hearthstone Inn, will be the playing of jazz saxophonist Ian McPhail who will be special guest for the Jazz Variety Pack event.
Ian grew in Cape Breton, in the Sydney area, but now makes New Orleans his home. From a family of musicians, Ian was exposed to music through his father Sandy McPhail, as they both spent time at Sunday morning jazz gatherings at the home of Sydney jazz icon Rudy Pace. Through Rudy’s influence, Ian discovered his love for the saxophone, and was encouraged by Rudy to focus on embracing the bebop sounds of saxophone legend Charlie Parker. Ian went on to study jazz performance at California State University, and at the University of New Orleans. Still strongly proud of his Cape Breton roots, Ian is delighted he has the opportunity to participate in the Cape Breton Jazz Festival. He is looking forward to connecting once again with the Cape Breton jazz community. Ian’s dad Sandy, an outstanding piano player, may also join Ian on stage for the playing of several tunes.
For further information contact: Carl at carl@capebretonjazzfestival.com.
For Immediate Release
July 24, 2016
Latin Jazz Trio to Play at Cape Breton Jazz and World Music Festival
Trio Bembe creates infectious, danceable, music that moves people. Their upbeat live performance, suitable for family or adult settings, celebrate rhythm from around the world.
Amber Epp, Victor Lopez, and Rodrigo Munoz form this Latin World Music Trio.
Having chased their passion to Cuba, Brazil, and Chile, their mastery of Latin Music drives people into a rhythmic frenzy.
Audiences can expect to hear music and instruments from Cuba, Chile, Spain, Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Peru.
Trio Bembe is pleased to work with dancers to enhance the show. The group also shares stories from their travels around the world, and share the meaning behind songs in other languages.
For further information contact triobembe.com.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 24 2016
Bill Stevenson, Tom Easley, and Geoff Arsenault to Highlight Jazz Festival Closing
The Cape Breton Jazz Festival is delighted to announce that one of our favorite performers will be returning to the Festival this year. Bill Stevenson and his trio of Tom Easley and Geoff Arsenault will return to the Hearthstone Inn for a special performance on Friday, August 12, and then in New Waterford on August 13.
Bill and his trio’s performance was one of last year’s Festival highlights. With Bill’s soulful singing and stellar piano playing, the whole atmosphere is one of fun and bluesy happiness as they excel with their performances of piano and vocal jazz blues classics blended with a New Orleans flavor.
On Friday, August 12 the show will begin at 7:30 pm in the Courtyard at Hearthstone Inn on Kings Rd in Sydney. On Saturday August 13 the show will begin at 7:30 pm in the French Club in New Waterford, in the downstairs lounge.
With over twenty years of playing together the trio in 2008 won an ECMA for Best Jazz Recording. As well in 2016 Bill and his trio represented eastern Canada at the Memphis to Blues Challenge.
Bill has certainly received praise from many circles. George Hebert, Guitarist for Anne Murray, has said in speaking to Bill Stevenson “You’re probably the best swing/blues singer and player east of Toronto!”
Carl Getto, organizer of the Cape Breton Jazz Festival, has called Bill and his trio as one the most entertaining soulful style blues and jazz trio in Canada.
In over forty years as a musician Bill has recorded for Elektra records while still in his teens, opened for the Doors, backed up John Lee Hooker, performing and recording bands behind some of Canada’s best loved musicians including Amos Garrett, Colleen Peterson and Linda Carvery. He has hosted his own National radio series for CBC. He has been a contributing side man to multi award winning albums by Garrett Mason, Thom Swift , and Hot Toddy. His participation in the Jazz/Blues idiom has earned him a respected place in the national music spectrum.
One reviewer has described Bill’s playing as ‘stark, voice-and-piano confessional'.
Indeed, the show with Bill Stevenson and his trio promises to be a highlight of the Jazz Festival.
Ticket sales begin August 1. All Festival tickets are $25 and will go on sale at event venues and at the door the evening of the performance.
Press Release
For Release Immediately
Date July 23, 2016
Cape Breton Jazz and World Music Schedule Released
August 5 Trio Bembe: Northside Yacht Club 7:30 -10:00 pm
August 6 Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald: Doris Mason 10 piece band: CBU Boardmore Theatre 8:00 – 10:00 pm
August 6 Trio Bembe: Ben Eoin Yacht Club 7:30 – 10:00 pm
August 7 Trio Bembe: Casino NS, Sydney 7:30 – 10:00 pm
August 8 Trio Bembe: Inverness Arts Centre 7:30 – 10:00 pm
August 9 Ladies Sing and Play Jazz: Highland Arts Theatre, Sydney 7:30 – 10:00 pm
August 11 Local Jazz Players and Guests: Hearthstone Inn, Sydney 7:00 – 10:30 pm
August 12 Bill Stevenson Trio: Hearthstone Inn, Sydney 7:30 – 10:00 pm
August 13 Bill Stevenson Trio: French Club, New Waterford 7:30 – 10:00 pm
All Tickets $25.
Tickets available at Hearthstone Inn and event venues, starting August 1.
Questions? Email: carl@capebretonjazzfestival.com
2015
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
July 17 2015
Cape Breton Jazz and World Music Festival to Take Place August 7-15
The Cape Breton Jazz and World Music Festival opens on Friday, August 7 to entertain Cape Bretoners for eight consecutive days of jazz and world music.
The Festival aims to have an eclectic presentation of various sub-genres of jazz, from traditional vocal performances in the style of Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra by Bill Stevenson and Daniel Matto to presentations by Cuban and Latin style music groups such as Havana Fax, with Augusto Enriquez and Jeff Goodspeed, to Trio Bembe, one of the top Latin music groups in western Canada.
Most events will be held at the Hearthstone Inn in the Commoner Courtyard, Kings Rd., Sydney. The majority of shows will run from 6:30 to 10 pm. Ticket prices for most events will be $15 advance and $20 at the door. Tickets will go on sale beginning July 27. They will be sold at Governor’s Pub and at the Hearthstone Inn.
Celebrating The Blues will be the theme of the opening evening event, on Friday, August 7, bringing together a collection of players including blues guitarist John Campbelljohn, The Guilty Party, The Carl Getto Jazz Blues Group, and from Halifax the blues piano vocalist Bill Stevenson
The Havana Fax ensemble will play several events during the Festival beginning on Wednesday, August 12, when the Los Primos Project in conjunction with the local Island to Island group present an evening of Cuban music and art at Flavor on the Water in Sydney starting at 7 pm. Legendary Cuban singer Augusto Enriquez and family will be featured along with Jeff Goodspeed and friends. For this Flavor on the Water event the cover charge will be $10.
The same Havana Fax ensemble will also perform on Thursday, August 13 at the KOC in New Waterford, and Friday, August 14, at the North Sydney Yacht Club. Local performer and Cuban music stylist Keith Mullins will open both these shows.
Another Festival feature will be a bebop jazz ensemble, highlighted by Sydney native Ethan Ardelli, who is becoming one of the top jazz drummers on the Toronto jazz scene. Ardelli is expected to attract particular interest from local fans of drumming. Others comprising this ensemble include Prince Edward Island bassist Patrick Naburrus, noted trumpeter Paul Tynan, guitarist Jake Hanlon, pianist Carl Getto, and others.
The Festival’s closing on August 15 will see a day of music beginning with a free outdoor jazz concert at Wentworth Park and concluding with an evening of music at the Hearthstone Inn in the Commoner Courtyard with shows by Havana Fax, and local jazz performers.
(For further information contact Carl Getto, coordinator, Cape Breton Jazz and World Music Festival, carl@capebretonjazzfestival.com or phone 902-565-1092.)
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Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 17, 2015
Jazz Legend Added To Cape Breton Jazz Festival Program
The Cape Breton Jazz and World Music Festival is delighted to announce two show by Harold Mabern, who is described in the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings as “one of the great post-bop pianists.”
Mabern has been described as a player whose style is rooted in the progressive jazz of hard bop, post-bop, and soul jazz.
Mabern teamed this past year with Canadian jazz saxophone icon Kirk MacDonald on MacDonald’s 2015 Canadian Juno Award winning recording for jazz recording of the year.
Mabern will join MacDonald for two intimate shows at the Cape Breton University recording studio (adjacent to the CBU Art Gallery) on Tuesday, August 11 at 7 pm and 9 pm. Tickets cost $25 and are available at the Hearthstone Inn, 560 Kings Rd. in Sydney, and at Governor’s Pub in Sydney. Advance tickets only for these shows are recommended.
Born in 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee, Maben has accompanied many of the world’s great jazz players over the past 50 years. These include jazz legends Miles Davis, J.J. Johnson, George Coleman, Brooker Little, Cannonball Adderley, and Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison. He has also worked with Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Blue Mitchell, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, and in a trio with Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette.
Kirk MacDonald is one of Cape Breton’s favorite jazz playing sons. Born in New Waterford, Kirk has spent the past 30 years based in Toronto, from where he has established himself as one of Canada’s top jazz saxophone players while playing at jazz festivals worldwide. Winning the Juno Award while accompanied by Harold Mabern and this year a Juno award for winning the Canadian recording of the year Vista Obscura.
For further information go to www.capebretonjazzfestival.com
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The Cape Breton Jazz Festival and World Music Festival August 7-15, 2015
Featuring New York jazz piano legend Harold Mabern and Canadian saxophone icon Kirk MacDonald. Mabern has played with jazz legends Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Sarah Vaughan, Wes Montgomery and many others. Mabern teamed up earlier this year with Kirk MacDonald on MacDonald’s Juno Award winning jazz CD.
Festival Highlight Events
Friday, August 7
Celebrating The Blues: John Campbelljohn, The Guilty Party, Carl Getto Jazz Blues Group, and Bill Stevenson
Hearthstone Inn in the Commoner Courtyard, 560 Kings Rd. Sydney: 6:30 pm; Tickets: $20 advance; $15 at the door
Saturday, August 8
Salute to Ray Charles, Louie Jordan, and Other Jazz Blues Greats: Bill Stevenson, pianist and vocalist, and the Nine Steps Band.
Swinging the Jazz Standards: Carl Getto Jazz Group, featuring Red Mike MacDonald on bass, Johnny Hawkins on drums, Chris McDonald on guitar, Carl Getto on piano, Janice Esther Tulk on vocals.
Hearthstone Inn 6:30 pm; Tickets: $15 advance; $20 at the door
Sunday, August 9
Salute to Frank Sinatra and the Jazz Crooners: Daniel Matto, vocalist with Bill Stevenson on piano; Janice Esther Tulk with Carl Getto piano.
Hearthstone Inn 6:30 pm; Tickets: $15 advance; $20 at the door
Monday, August 10
A Jazz Guitar Presentation of Jazz Standards: Joe Waye on guitar, Red Mike MacDonald on bass, and Johnny Hawkins on drums.
Salute to the Latin Jazz Music of Cuba, Chile, and Brazil: Trio Bembe; an extraordinary music trio, recognized as one of the top Latin singing and playing jazz trios in Canada.
Hearthstone Inn 6:30 pm; Tickets: $15 advance; $20 at the door
Tuesday August 11:
Salute to the Latin Jazz Music of Cuba, Chile, and Brazil: Trio Bembe,
Singing and Playing the Classic Jazz Standards: Michele Stevens on piano; Red Mike MacDonald on bass, and Johnny Hawkins on drums.
Hearthstone Inn 6:30 pm; Tickets: $20 advance; $15 at the door
Legend of Jazz: New York piano legend Harold Mabern joins Juno Award winning jazz saxophonist Kirk MacDonald.
Location: Cape Breton University Recording Studio (adjacent the CBU Art Gallery); two shows 7 pm and 9 pm. Tickets $25 Advance tickets recommended;
Wednesday, August 12
Cuban Music and Art: Los Primos Project Presents Havana Fax: featuring Augusto Enriquez and Family along with Jeff Goodspeed and friends in conjunction with the local group Island to Island .
Location: at Flavor on the Water, Sydney 7 pm. Cover charge $10.
Thursday August 13
Musical Salute to Cuba: Havana Fax, featuring Augusto Enriquez and family along with Jeff Goodspeed and friends; opening performance by Cape Bretoner and Cuban music stylist Keith Mullins.
Location: KOC Hall in New Waterford 7 pm; Cover charge $15
Bebop Jazz Ensemble: Toronto jazz drummer Cape Bretoner Ethan Ardelli joins some of the Eastcoast’s busiest jazz players Paul Tynan on trumpet, Jake Hanlon on guitar, Patrick Naburrus on upright bass, Chris Mitchell on saxophone, James Munroe on trombone, Carl Getto on piano.
Hearthstone Inn 6:30 pm; Tickets: $15 advance; $20 at the door
Friday, August 14
Musical Salute to Cuba: Havana Fax, featuring Augusto Enriquez and family, along with Jeff Goodspeed and friends; opening performance by Cape Bretoner and Cuban music stylist Keith Mullins.
Location: Northern Yacht Club in North Sydney 7 pm. Cover charge $15.
Bebop Jazz Ensemble:
Hearthstone Inn 6:30 pm; Tickets: $20 advance; $15 at the door.
Free Open Air Family Concert Wentworth Park: Havana Fax, featuring Augusto Enriquez and Family With Jeff Goodspeed and Friends; Carl Getto Jazz Group with special guests. 1:30 pm – 4 pm.
Closing Festival Celebration: Havana Fax, featuring Augusto Enriquez and Family along with Jeff Goodspeed and friends; Special guests including James Munroe, Johnny Hawkins, Red Mike MacDonald, Chris McDonald, James Munroe, Joe Waye, Bruce MacKinley, Matthew Nicholson, and others
Hearthstone Inn 6:30 pm Tickets: $15 advance; $20 at the door.
Most events will be held at the Hearthstone Inn, 560 Kings Rd. Sydney
Advance tickets are available at the Hearthstone Inn, or Governor’s Pub on the Esplanade in Sydney.
For further information go to www.capebretonjazzfestival.com